Construction Starts for Sikh Temple in South Africa

Finally construction work started on the site of the new Sikh Temple in Voorbaai on 2nd May 2014. It took five years to obtain re-zoning permission and to get the building plans approved for the construction of a Sikh place of worship in Mossel Bay.

Sikhs have contributed to the welfare and economy of every country where they have settled and Mr Ajeet Singh Gill, (see pic right) who spearheaded this project had said time and again that once a place of worship has been established for the community in the area, we would see more and more Indians of all denominations flocking to the town, both as Tourists as well as Investors.

For the last two weeks a number of Sikh families from the UK have been exploring the area. Two members of the party are practising Architects - one is a Sikh and his wife, who is Japanese, is also an architect. One person is a Structural Engineer and one is in IT Engineer.

They spent a lot of time with the officers of the Building and Planning Departments of Mossel Bay Municipality discussing technical and legal issues. They also researched Immigration implications with the Home Affairs Office in George before deciding to settle in Mossel Bay. They flew back to the UK this week, having purchased four stands on which they intend to build designer properties. Their total investment into Mossel on these projects will be in the region of R20 million in foreign currency.

Hopefully this is just the beginning and Mossel Bay may yet see a lot of Sikhs coming in with large investments. Most Sikhs are businessmen or professional people. As is well known, one Sikh family has already invested a lot of foreign money into Mossel Bay, South Africa in the last five years, especially with the development of the magnificent Eden Plaza in the CBD.

Ritual prayers before commencing work

Digger starting the work

First part of foundation trenches complete

Since starting the Punjabi Kitchen for Indian foods in June 2013, they have brought directly from overseas almost 300 Indian tourists into Mossel Bay in partnership with major Tour Operators in India, England and USA.

The Temple will have a major influence in attracting more Indian tourists into Mossel Bay

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